Category: Court Cases

Shameful US Justice Department Supports Discrimination Against LGBT America

September 8, 2017

The United States Justice Department, yet again reflected the known bigotry of its leadership, Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Should be no surprise that the man, Sessions,  whose career has delivered / supported racist, homophobic and xenophobic commentary or policy, filed a brief today with the Supreme Court in the case of Masterpiece Cakeshop … More Shameful US Justice Department Supports Discrimination Against LGBT America

Ninth Circuit Rules Grandparents Exempt From Trump’s Travel Ban

September 7, 2017

The Post originally Appears on the Recorder: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled Thursday that family members of those in the United States, including grandparents and children-in-law, are exempt from President Donald Trump’s travel ban executive order. The court on Thursday disagreed with the government’s argument that, under a June order … More Ninth Circuit Rules Grandparents Exempt From Trump’s Travel Ban

Jewish Lesbian Mom Regains Custody of Children

September 7, 2017

By Melanie Nathan, A Court reinstated custody to an ultra religious Jewish mother in Brooklyn, New York, The parent, an ex member of Hassidic Judaism, lost custody of her three children after coming out as a lesbian and finally regained her custody after more than two years of appeals. The Appeals Court ordered that Chavie … More Jewish Lesbian Mom Regains Custody of Children

Victory as EEOC Finds Evidence of Job Discrimination by Walmart in Transgender Case

August 29, 2017

Victory! EEOC Finds Evidence of Job Discrimination by Walmart Against TLDEF Client in North Carolina New York, NY – Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund has secured a victory before the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) on behalf of a transgender woman who endured employment discrimination at a Sam’s Club store in Kannapolis, … More Victory as EEOC Finds Evidence of Job Discrimination by Walmart in Transgender Case

TLDEF Files Federal Lawsuit Against Amazon in Transgender Harassment Case

August 9, 2017

TLDEF Files Federal Lawsuit Against Amazon for Relentless Harassment of Transgender Woman and Her Husband at its Kentucky Shipping Facility Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund today filed a federal lawsuit against Amazon on behalf of a married couple who faced cruel and persistent discrimination at an Amazon shipping facility in Hebron, Kentucky. Allegra Schawe-Lane … More TLDEF Files Federal Lawsuit Against Amazon in Transgender Harassment Case

Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California Settle Disability Complaint

August 7, 2017

Last month, Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California (FHANC, formerly Fair Housing of Marin) and one of its clients settled a housing discrimination complaint, based upon disability, filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Fair Housing office. The complaint was filed against Schultz Investment Co., Greenbrae Management Incl, Belardo Co., L.P., and Thomas … More Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California Settle Disability Complaint

Legal Victory Against Walmart Sam’s Club – Transgender Workplace Discrimination

August 7, 2017

TLDEF Wins Legal Victory Against Workplace Discrimination: Walmart Discriminated Against Transgender Employee Says EEOC New York, NY- A U.S. government commission has ruled in favor of Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund and its client, Jessica Shyne Robison, in her battle against workplace discrimination by Walmart subsidiary, Sam’s Club East, Inc. Ms. Robison faced bigotry … More Legal Victory Against Walmart Sam’s Club – Transgender Workplace Discrimination

Bank Owned Homes Leads to Massive Housing Discrimination Complaint

July 26, 2017

Today, Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California (FHANC) joined the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) and other partners in announcing its collection of new evidence in support of allegations that Deutsche Bank, Ocwen Financial, and Altisource companies continue to discriminate against communities of color in 30 metropolitan areas across the United States. The twenty agencies … More Bank Owned Homes Leads to Massive Housing Discrimination Complaint

OHIO Urgent Call to Action to RESIST Judicial Appointments

July 13, 2017

Thanks to Lambda legal for providing the following call to Action: Two Trump judicial appointees with vicious anti-LGBT views are poised to become some of the most powerful judges in the country. People in Ohio have the chance to stop it. John K. Bush, nominated to fill a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals … More OHIO Urgent Call to Action to RESIST Judicial Appointments

Group Calls Trump out on Response to Increased Hate Crimes

June 7, 2017

On June 6, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a national South Asian racial justice and civil rights organization, participated in a critical hate crimes forum facilitated by the US Department of Justice Community Relations Service in Kansas. Representatives from government agencies, diverse community leaders, and advocacy organizations gathered at the Hindu Temple and Cultural … More Group Calls Trump out on Response to Increased Hate Crimes

Court Smacks Scott Lively Across his Immoral Face while Dismissing SMUG Case on Jurisdictional Grounds

June 6, 2017

A Scathing Ruling, Court Affirms SMUG’s Charges Against U.S. Anti-Gay Extremist Scott Lively While Dismissing on Jurisdictional Ground  – Historic Case Has Broken New Legal Ground, Documented Lively’s Campaign of Persecution in Uganda June 6, 2017, New York – Yesterday, a federal court minced no words in affirming that U.S.-based anti-gay extremist Scott Lively aided and … More Court Smacks Scott Lively Across his Immoral Face while Dismissing SMUG Case on Jurisdictional Grounds

Is Trump Purposely Defying Travel and Refugee Court Orders

June 1, 2017

By Melanie Nathan, Executive Director African Human Rights Coalition. Or Mere Incompetence of the Trump Administration In my capacity as the Executive Director of the African Human Rights Coalition, I advocate on behalf of LGBTI refugees in Africa. Since Donald Trump took office the program has been anything BUT smooth sailing!  When Trump took office … More Is Trump Purposely Defying Travel and Refugee Court Orders

7th Circuit Issues Groundbreaking Ruling for Transgender Student 

May 31, 2017

Ruling upholds transgender boy’s right to use boys’ restroom at school; first-ever ruling of its kind by a federal appellate court Today the full 7th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a groundbreaking ruling in Whitaker v. Kenosha Unified School District, a case involving a 17-year-old transgender Wisconsin student whose school had denied him access to … More 7th Circuit Issues Groundbreaking Ruling for Transgender Student 

European Court Ends Forced Sterilizations of Transgender People

April 6, 2017

The European Court of Human Rights today found that the sterilization requirement in legal gender recognition violates human rights. Setting the legal precedent for Europe, this decision will force the remaining 22 countries using the infertility requirement to change their laws. This historic decision is delivered in three joined cases against France about the lack … More European Court Ends Forced Sterilizations of Transgender People

Appellate Court Affirms Civil Rights Act Title VII Includes Gay, Lesbian and Bi People

April 4, 2017

Today, a federal appeals court in Chicago ruled that the 1964 Civil Rights Act also protects LGB employees from workplace discrimination, the first time a federal appellate court has come to that conclusion. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an historic 8-3 en banc ruling,  in favor of Kimberly Hively, a math teacher who was fired from … More Appellate Court Affirms Civil Rights Act Title VII Includes Gay, Lesbian and Bi People

2nd Circuit Panel Urges Full Appellate Court to Reconsider Anti-Gay Discrimination Claims

March 31, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A three-judge panel on the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals has issued an opinion in Christansen v. Omnicon, the case of Matthew Christiansen, an HIV-positive gay man who faced extreme harassment and discrimination in his workplace by his supervisor.The panel determined that Christiansen made a successful Title VII claim with regard to gender stereotyping, but that the … More 2nd Circuit Panel Urges Full Appellate Court to Reconsider Anti-Gay Discrimination Claims

Supreme Court Sends Historic Transgender Equality Case Back to Lower Court 

March 6, 2017

Order follows Trump administration’s withdrawal of nonbinding federal guidance on how to protect transgender student WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the Supreme Court announced that it will not hear G.G. v. Gloucester County School Board, the historic transgender equality case on behalf of a Virginia transgender boy named Gavin Grimm. In light of President Trump’s decision to … More Supreme Court Sends Historic Transgender Equality Case Back to Lower Court 

Transgender Americans Voice Support for Gavin Grimm as His Landmark Title IX Discrimination Case Heads to The Supreme Court

March 2, 2017

TLDEF Brief Spotlights Positive Contributions of Transgender Americans and Harms of Denying them Basic Freedoms that Allow Full Participation in Society New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund has filed a friend-of-the court brief with the United States Supreme Court in support of Gavin Grimm. Grimm is a transgender 17-year-old from Virginia who is challenging the … More Transgender Americans Voice Support for Gavin Grimm as His Landmark Title IX Discrimination Case Heads to The Supreme Court

African Human Rights Coalition Advocates Against Trump Ban

February 6, 2017

February 6, 2017 Some LGBTI refugees in Africa, who were scheduled to travel under the United States Refugee Resettlement program had their travel plans revoked last week under Trump’s illicit Executive Order which suspended the refugee program.  Now several have been rescheduled for travel this week,  with thanks to the court order halting Trump’s ban/ suspension and … More African Human Rights Coalition Advocates Against Trump Ban

SCOTUS Sets Oral Argument in Historic Transgender Rights Case

February 3, 2017

Today the Supreme Court announced that it will hear oral argument in G.G. v. Gloucester County School Board on March 28. The case is being brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a Virginia transgender boy named Gavin Grimm. Grimm is challenging a policy in his local school district that singles out transgender students for … More SCOTUS Sets Oral Argument in Historic Transgender Rights Case

LGBT Record of Trump SCOTUS Nominee Gorsuch

January 31, 2017

With many thanks to the Williams Institute at UCLA LAw School, we examine the LGBT Record of Supreme Court Nominee, Scalia like,  Neil Gorsuch: Today, President Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. … More LGBT Record of Trump SCOTUS Nominee Gorsuch

The Shocking Incendiary Press Statement Firing Sally Yates

January 31, 2017

What you are about to read will blow your mind. Here is the language  Donald Trump used to announce the firing of Sally Yates, an Obama appointee who has been the acting United States Attorney General, pending the  Trump nominee confirmation for the position. To use the word “betrayal” and to slam Yates as ” weak on illegal immigration” is … More The Shocking Incendiary Press Statement Firing Sally Yates

Californians Demand Senators Feinstein And Harris Oppose Any Trump SCOTUS Nominee

January 31, 2017

Californians Demand Sens. Feinstein And Harris Oppose Any Trump Supreme Court Nominee And Use Every Tool Available To Reject The Pick Thousands Join Courage Campaign in Urging California Democrats to “Just. Say. No.” CALIFORNIA — A new petition from the California-based Courage Campaign is calling on the state’s Senators — Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris … More Californians Demand Senators Feinstein And Harris Oppose Any Trump SCOTUS Nominee

Bank Accused of Redlining and Violating Fair Housing Act

November 17, 2016

CALIFORNIA REINVESTMENT COALITION AND FAIR HOUSING ADVOCATES OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FILE FAIR HOUSING COMPLAINT, URGING IMMEDIATE HUD INVESTIGATION INTO CIT GROUP’S ONE WEST BANK By Melanie Nathan, November 17, 2016. Yesterday, two nonprofit organizations formally filed a complaint requesting that the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) investigate whether CIT Group violated and … More Bank Accused of Redlining and Violating Fair Housing Act

LGBT Ugandans Argue Against U.S. Hate Pastor in Federal Court

November 9, 2016

In Case Against U.S. Anti-Gay Extremist Scott Lively for His Role in LGBTI Persecution in Ugandan|  Lawsuit Charges Lively with Crime Against Humanity November 9, 2016, Springfield, MA – Today, Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), represented by the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and co-counsel, appeared in court to argue that a federal lawsuit against Abiding Truth Ministries … More LGBT Ugandans Argue Against U.S. Hate Pastor in Federal Court

Ugandan LGBTI Activists to Argue Case Against U.S. Anti-Gay Extremist in Federal Court

November 7, 2016

Sexual Minorities Uganda Lawsuit Charges Abiding Truth Ministries President Scott Lively with Persecution   | Oral Argument in Springfield, MA Wednesday, November 9, 11:00 AM Springfield, MA – On Wednesday, Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), represented by the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and co-counsel, will argue in a federal lawsuit against Abiding Truth Ministries President, Scott Lively. The … More Ugandan LGBTI Activists to Argue Case Against U.S. Anti-Gay Extremist in Federal Court

Lawsuit Filed Seeking Information on ICE Policies for Asylum Seekers

October 20, 2016

San Francisco – The ACLU of Northern California, the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project (IRP), the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies at UC Hastings College of the Law (CGRS), and pro bono counsel at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila (RSHC) today filed suit against the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for refusing to release … More Lawsuit Filed Seeking Information on ICE Policies for Asylum Seekers

International Human Rights Court in Africa delivers Judgment Blow in Historic First LGBT Case

September 27, 2016

This morning the East African Court of Justice delivered a blow with its judgment in a matter initially brought before it by a Ugandan based Human Rights coalition. The matter of Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) v Attorney General of Uganda (and the Secretariat of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS))  … More International Human Rights Court in Africa delivers Judgment Blow in Historic First LGBT Case

TLDEF Denounces Federal Court Ruling in Michigan Funeral Home Case

August 18, 2016

 TLDEF Denounces Federal Court Ruling in Favor of Michigan Funeral Home that Fired Employee for Being Transgender New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) condemns a federal court ruling in favor of a Garden City, Michigan funeral home that fired an employee for being transgender. The court ruled that the funeral home … More TLDEF Denounces Federal Court Ruling in Michigan Funeral Home Case